Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hacket, John-Baptist
HACKET, HACQUET, or HECQUET, JOHN-BAPTIST (d. 1676), theologian, born at Fethard, co. Tipperary, Ireland, was educated in the Dominican convent at Cashel, where he became a member of that order. As professor he subsequently taught with reputation at Milan, Naples, and Rome. He received the degree of master in theology from the general chapter of the Dominican order in 1644. His character and erudition, gained him the confidence of eminent dignitaries in Italy, and Cardinal Altieri, subsequently Pope Clement X, is said to have urged his promotion to the cardinalate. Intercourse with Hacket at Milan and Cremona was believed to have influenced Lord Philip Howard, afterwards cardinal, to enter the order of St. Dominic. Hacket passed the greater part of his life at Rome, and published there the following works: 1. 'Controversorium Theologicum,' folio, 1654. 2. 'Synopsis Theologica,' 4to, 1659. 3. 'Synopsis Philosophiæ,' 12mo, 1662. He died at the Minerva convent, Rome, on 23 Aug. 1676, and was interred in the convent church, in front of the altar of St. Dominic.
[Quetifs Scriptores Ordinis Prædicatorum, Paris, 1721, ii. 653; Ware's Writers of Ireland, 1746; Hibernia Dominicana, 1762.]